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MSUB Students Rooted in Billings
Montana State University Billings (MSUB) has long been a cornerstone of education in Yellowstone County, but fresh data from the Spring 2025 semester paints an even more compelling picture. One that highlights just how deeply the university and the community are connected.
Nestled below the rimrocks overlooking Montana’s largest city, MSUB offers 115 academic programs, giving students an impressive variety of paths to pursue their passions. More than 6 in 10 MSUB students, an impressive 62%, hail from right here in Yellowstone County. That’s a 6.7 percent rise from last year and nearly 10 percent growth over the past five years. It’s a powerful reflection of how MSUB remains a local university of choice, not just for higher education but as a launching pad for successful, homegrown careers.
With a total student body of 4,055 this spring, 90% of MSUB’s students are Montana residents. But what’s particularly remarkable is how many graduates stay rooted in the area. 60% of City College grads and 42% of University Campus grads from the class of 2023 found jobs in Yellowstone County. This isn’t just a school; it’s an economic driver that feeds Billings’ workforce, ensuring that homegrown talent stays local and strengthening the community from within.
MSUB’s continued growth in student numbers and impressive retention rates; 78% of new Fall 2024 students continued to Spring 2025, which signals a thriving, supportive academic environment. Specific areas of study are also flourishing, with the College of Business and College of Health Professions leading the way in local student growth, with 7.7% and 6.5% increases, respectively.
The Yellowjacket community is a close-knit one, filled with school spirit and pride, a true reflection of the energy and determination that drives both the campus and the larger Billings community. Go Yellowjackets!
Chancellor Dr. Stefani Hicswa summed it up best: “I’m proud that Yellowstone County sees us as a distinctly local university of choice. This shows a lot of trust in our faculty, staff, and community connections.”
It’s clear that MSUB isn’t just educating students. It’s nurturing future leaders, business owners, healthcare professionals, and innovators who want to stay and grow alongside Billings. For anyone wondering whether Yellowstone County is a place worth calling home, MSUB’s numbers and the community spirit behind them speak for themselves.
Learn more about MSUB at msubillings.edu.
